Jacqueline Van Ovost

Jacqueline Van Ovost
Born	(1965-09-29) September 29, 1965 (age 59) Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.
Service / branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1988–2024
Rank	General
Commands	United States Transportation Command Air Mobility Command 89th Airlift Wing 12th Flying Training Wing 384th Air Refueling Squadron
Battles / wars	Gulf War War in Afghanistan
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (2)
Alma mater	United States Air Force Academy (BS) California State University, Fresno (MS) Air University (MMAS, MS)

Jacqueline Desiree Van Ovost (born September 29, 1965) ^[1] is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the 14th commander of United States Transportation Command from 2021 to 2024. She was nominated to that post by President Biden on March 5, 2021. ^[2] Van Ovost had previously served as the commander of Air Mobility Command from 2020 to 2021. In early 2021, she was the only active-duty female four-star general officer in the United States. ^[3]

Education

Van Ovost received a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. After commissioning into the US Air Force, she attended Undergraduate Pilot Training (1989) followed by U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (1994). ^[4] Van Ovost holds master's degrees from California State University, Fresno in mechanical engineering (1996), from Air Command and Staff College in military arts and sciences (1999), and from Air War College in strategic studies (2004). ^[4]

Military career

Van Ovost flying a Boeing KC-46A Pegasus, February 6, 2021.

Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson at the Oval Office, White House, March 10, 2021.

Van Ovost assumes command of USTRANSCOM from General Stephen R. Lyons on October 15, 2021.

Early career

Van Ovost was commissioned upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988. She attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Reese Air Force Base (now the Reese Technology Center) and graduated in 1989. She is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and is a command pilot with more than 4,200 hours in more than 30 aircraft, including the C-32A, C-17A, C-141B, and KC-135R. Even further, Van Ovost was an Instructor Pilot for the Test Pilot School. ^[4] Van Ovost's notable military assignments include Vice Commander of the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center (2012–13), Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs (Europe, NATO, Russia) in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5) of the Joint Staff (2013–15), Vice Director for the Joint Staff (2015-17), Director of Staff at Headquarters Air Force (2017-2020), and Deputy Commander of Air Mobility Command (April 2020-August 2020). ^[4]

Air Mobility Command

On July 20, 2020, the Senate confirmed Van Ovost as commander of Air Mobility Command (AMC), a major command (MAJCOM) of the Air Force; Van Ovost also gained her fourth-star. ^[5] She replaced retiring AMC commanding Gen. Maryanne Miller, under whom she served as AMC's deputy commander, on August 20, 2020. ^[6] Van Ovost served as AMC Commander until she relinquished command on October 5, 2021. ^[2] In preparation for her expected confirmation as TRANSCOM head, President Biden nominated United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) deputy commander Lt. Gen. Michael Minihan to replace Van Ovost as AMC commander. ^[7]

Transportation Command nomination

On March 6, 2021, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that President Biden had nominated Van Ovost to become commander of United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM). ^[8] Her nomination was sent to the Senate on March 5, 2021. ^[9] Her nomination was originally recommended by then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper and General Mark Milley, but Esper later delayed it until after the 2020 United States presidential election due to his concerns of the Trump administration's possible reaction against nominating women to such high leadership positions. ^{[10] [11]} Van Ovost's nomination hearings to head TRANSCOM were held before the Senate Armed Services Committee on September 23, 2021. ^{[12] [13] [14]} She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on October 1, 2021 and assumed command on October 15, 2021, becoming the second woman to lead a unified combatant command after General Lori Robinson. ^{[15] [16]}

Awards and decorations

	U.S. Air Force Command Pilot Badge
	Headquarters Air Force Badge
	United States Transportation Command Badge
	Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

	Defense Distinguished Service Medal [17]
	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
	Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
	Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
	Air Medal
	Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Joint Service Commendation Medal
	Air Force Commendation Medal
	Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver oak leaf cluster
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
	Air Force Recognition Ribbon
	National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
	Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
	Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Armed Forces Service Medal
	Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
	Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame
	Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
	Air Force Training Ribbon
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
	Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Effective dates of promotion

Insignia	Rank	Date
	General	Aug. 20, 2020
	Lieutenant general	Nov. 8, 2017
	Major general	May 22, 2015
	Brigadier general	Aug. 2, 2012
	Colonel	Dec. 1, 2006
	Lieutenant colonel	May 1, 2001
	Major	Aug. 1, 1998
	Captain	June 1, 1992
	First lieutenant	June 1, 1990
	Second lieutenant	June 1, 1988

^[4]

References

•  This article incorporates public domain material from Jacqueline Van Ovost. United States Air Force . Retrieved May 9, 2020.

1. "Brig Gen Jacqueline D. Van Ovost". Military Hall of Honor. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
2. Everstine, Brian W. (March 8, 2021). "Van Ovost Tapped to Lead TRANSCOM, New Bosses Named for SOUTHCOM and INDOPACOM". Air Force Magazine . Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. "Van Ovost Sworn in as AMC Boss, Becoming Military's Only Female Four Star". airforcemag.com.
4. "General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost". Biographies. United States Air Force. February 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
5. Everstine, Brian W. (July 24, 2020). "Senate Confirms New Bosses of AMC, ACC". Air Force Magazine . Retrieved July 16, 2021.
6. Losey, Stephen (August 21, 2020). "Gen. Van Ovost takes the reins at Air Mobility Command". Air Force Times . Retrieved July 16, 2021.
7. Cohen, Rachel (July 15, 2021). "Biden nominates new Air Mobility Command boss". Air Force Times . Retrieved July 16, 2021.
8. "General Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
9. "PN237 — Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost — Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
10. Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene (February 17, 2021). "Promotions for Female Generals Were Delayed Over Fears of Trump's Reaction". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved February 21, 2021.
11. Everstine, Brian W. (February 17, 2021). "Report: AMC Boss Expected to be Nominated to Lead TRANSCOM". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
12. "PN237 - 1 nominee for Air Force, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. March 5, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
13. McCullough, Amy (July 14, 2021). "Biden Nominates First Commander for Space Systems Command, New Boss at AMC". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
14. "Nomination - Van Ovost". U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
15. Cohen, Rachel S. (July 16, 2021). "Biden nominates new Air Mobility Command boss". Defense News. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
16. "Webcast: TRANSCOM Welcomes New Commander". DVIDS. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
17. Vorhees, Brien (October 4, 2024). "USTRANSCOM Change of Command [Image 9 of 16]". DVIDS. U.S. Transportation Command. Retrieved October 5, 2024.

External links

• Media related to Jacqueline D. Van Ovost at Wikimedia Commons

Military offices
Preceded by Richard M. Clark	Commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing 2008–2010	Succeeded by Richard Murphy
Preceded by Steven Harrison	Commander of the 89th Airlift Wing 2010–2012	Succeeded by Michael Minihan
Preceded by Stayce Harris	Director of Staff of the United States Air Force 2017–2020	Succeeded by Timothy G. Fay
Preceded by Maryanne Miller	Commander of Air Mobility Command 2020–2021	Succeeded by Michael Minihan
Preceded by Stephen R. Lyons	Commander of United States Transportation Command 2021–2024	Succeeded by Randall Reed